Folks Of Interest A local legend passes RIP Carl Zechbauer

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A very great freind of mine passed away tonight, Carl Zechbauer, he was well know through out many minnesota hot rodders, Carl was an oldtimer, in his early 70's, he chopped tons and tons of cars, an awsome hot rodder, a wealth of knowledge, a living legend. He will be missed greatly by many, and his memory will go on for a long time, i was very fortunate to have known him, he taught me many things throughout the time that ive know him, i first met his son John, another great local car guy, then met him (carl), he took a liking to me and we got along great, i ended up getting a job at the usual place he bought his car parts at so i got to know him even better. Ill surely mis the long BS sessions we had.

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I just got an email this AM from a Minnesota friend about Carl; altho I didn't know him well, I had the chance to meet him years ago. I did get to visit with him several times over several years.Talking with Carl was like talking with an old friend even tho you just met; he was just a likeable guy. He had so many stories to tell and he was a very talented craftsman.
My condolences to the family and all his many friends. RIP Carl.

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Very sad news. Although I never met Carl, I sure met a lot of cars that he was responsible for. The one I liked the best was the '47 Chrysler 4-door sedan that he chopped. Now if there was ever an uglier car to start with I certainly don't know what it would be. However, by merely chopping the car, it went from a frog to such a beauty that it would give wood to any who male saw it. What a car, what a metal man, a guy with an eye for proportion.

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Thanks for posting this.
Carl certainly earned legendary status. He was very innovative, in being probably the first to chop any number of cars that were outside the mainstream of customizing (and at a time when customizing itself was outside the mainstream.) His life and passing are certainly noteworthy.
RIP

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Very sad news. Although I never met Carl, I sure met a lot of cars that he was responsible for. The one I liked the best was the '47 Chrysler 4-door sedan that he chopped. Now if there was ever an uglier car to start with I certainly don't know what it would be. However, by merely chopping the car, it went from a frog to such a beauty that it would give wood to any who male saw it. What a car, what a metal man, a guy with an eye for proportion.

RIP, Carl...

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If i remeber correctly Thom Taylor did a drawing of the chrysler called "two bumps" or something like that, maybe it was in an old street rodder mag a while back. i can remember.

Carl surely did have many different tasts in cars, but his love was old mopars, usually 4 doors, of the 40s, hed put a nova sub in em, nova rear, a small block chevy and make em a driver. he was working on a dodge pickup lately, i never new him not having a project, like i said, he was in his early 70's and i think i seen him build about 15-20 cars, and ive only know him for about 8 or so years, he just chopped a 46 ford convert a year ago or so, so he was still at it hard as ever.

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Sorry to hear this.My condolences go out to his family.If I recall,he had a chopped Buick that was in the mags.Correct?

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Carl had a Maroon Chopped '55 Buick that he built around 1980 or '81. Car was in Texas for some time but think it may be back here in Minnesota now. Carl and his family attended some of the early KKOA events with this car.

I recall walking around Chopped Mercs once with Carl. Took him a long time to find one that he thought was done right. A very talented Man who built more cars then I can count and he will be DEEPLY missed by many many people.

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So sorry to hear of Carl's passing. I was lucky enough be introduced to Carl a few years ago by a long time friend of mine, Buzz Magnuson. Carl always had a a big smile on his face and treated me like he had known me for ever. He always asked me how my hot rod truck build (my first) was coming along and gave me some excellent advice on how to chop the top, etc. I never missed a chance to go with Buzz to see what Carl was building next and was always impressed with what that guy could do and how he made everything look so easy. He was a local legend and will be missed.